Pencil and watercolour drawing of Bhaktapur from the south side of the river, part of the Lawrence collection created by an anonymous artist, c. 1843-1846. This image, within a broad black frame is inscribed in pencil: 'No. 9'; and above: 'Town of Bhagaon.'

Bhaktapur, the 'City of Devotees' is 11 km east of Kathmandu and 10 km north-east of Patan and is the youngest of the three former city-states of the Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur was founded in the 9th century and rose to prominence under the Malla dynasty. It remained a valley kingdom until the late 15th century when it became a sovereign state, together with Kathmandu and Patan. All three have similar architecture and were built around Durbar Squares containing Palace and Temple complexes. This is a distant view of the town, with the river and a few grazing cattle in the foreground.